My Easy & Delicious Thanksgiving Menu

This year for Thanksgiving, I'm all about quick prep (we're talking as few as 5 minutes) and big flavor payoff. My Thanksgiving menu will be a mix of tried-and-true classics from the Chris Cooks archives, plus some new recipes that I created this fall.

But what this Thanksgiving dinner won't be is stuffy, overly formal, too composed, or complicated. I want this dinner to be filled with delicious food, but even more important, time well spent with family and friends. And that means dishes that are easy, but exciting enough to have people asking for seconds.

In case you're looking for a similar menu for your Thanksgiving meal this year, here's what I'm making:

Winning Thanksgiving Starters

These candied ham skewers are in a class by themselves. While I usually add 3-4 peppers, I might make one batch without jalapeños so those averse to spice can enjoy them as well. And I usually have a charcuterie board with some snacks on it.

The Easiest Thanksgiving Main

This turkey breast roast recipe can be prepped in less than 10 minutes, and it's nearly impossible to mess up. This is the turkey that you make when you're tired of dealing with a big giant turkey. You can prep and cook this in an hour and a half!

Tasty Thanksgiving Sides

The key to family gatherings is to have enough sides so that everyone can pick and choose the ones they like (or the sides that are allergy-friendly for gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, or egg-free folks). I'm mixing in some classics, like my elevated take on green bean casserole, with some fresh sides like my cranberry-ginger Brussels sprouts. And this year, I'm making mom's dinner rolls for the first time, now that she shared the recipe (and most importantly, the technique!) with me.

Can't Miss Thanksgiving Desserts

My pumpkin cheesecake is great because you need to make it the day before, so it takes the pressure off of Thanksgiving day. And if you haven't given homemade cranberry sauce a try, this recipe will fill your kitchen with all the smells of the holiday season. It's an instant mood-lifter!

My Go-To Thanksgiving Drinks

I don't think it would be a holiday in our house with mulled apple cider on the stove. And my easy and delicious harvest punch is a recipe that is refreshing—with some fun bubbles—for all ages.

I can't wait to share these dishes with my family this year—I think this Thanksgiving menu will be the start of a new tradition. What are you making for Thanksgiving? Let me know in the comments!